Commander Shafi Hazara
Commander Shafi Hazara | |
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قوماندان شفیع هزاره | |
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Commander Shafi Hazara (Dari: قومندان شفیع هزاره) General Of Brigade 2 Hezbe Wahdat, was an ethnic Hazara military commander in Afghanistan. He was a senior commander during the resistance of west Kabul & Hazarajat between 1991 and 1996. In the 1990s he led Hezbe Wahdat Brigade 2 military wing against rival militias and, against the Taliban takeover.[1]
Early life
Commander Shafi was born in Chindawol, in the city of Kabul. Originally from the Turkman Valley of Parwan Province and was from the Turkmani tribe of Hazaras. Shafi was the main Hizb-i Wahdat commander in West Kabul in the early 1990s. Commander Shafi was in charge of Independent Brigade 2 located “in most of the front lines in west Kabul from Darulaman to Kot-i Sangi and from Kot-i Sangi up to Kart-i She & Deh Bori. Commander Shafi “was one of several Wahdat commanders whose excessive military tactics earned them the epithet Diwana meaning mad.” Commander Shafi “had been a student at the university when the mujahidin captured Kabul but became one of Wahdat’s most notorious commanders.
Shafi Dewana (Shafi the Mad)
Commander Shafi was penned “Shafi Dewana” (Shafi the Mad) due to his exceptional military tactics that angered a collection of enemies. His tactics were reputedly, brutal, towards his enemies. Hence the objective moniker of “Shafi the Mad”.[2]
Afghan Civil Wars
Simultaneously after the occupation of Afghanistan by the Soviet Red Army, And The fall of the government and beginning of the Civil Wars Commander Shafi returned to his birthplace and gained a prominent place in the resistance movement of the hazara tribe. During the first days of the resistance, he started with a group of only six people whom were training in the Turkman Valley alongside him. Soon he would become one of the senior commanders. He created the second brigade known as (غند ۲ پیاده) Which was the largest and strongest military formation of the party. Starting with little to no resources Shafi fought against the tyrants of War and as He pushed them out of the Hazara areas He Gained in size and power. Commander Shafi had post all around West Kabul and commanded the front line of Dehmazang with his forces, Nearly all the strategic fronts were under his control.[3]
Post Kabul Civil Battles
On March 12, 1995, the Taliban arrested Abdul Ali Mazari along with his five companions in Chaharasyab, near Kabul. The following day Mazari was executed and Hezb-E-Wahdat were surrounded by all other parties and retreated.
Bamiyan
After the fall of west Kabul Commander Shafi Headed To Mazar Sharif to attend the funeral of Abdul Ali Mazari And during his short stay rounded up his remaining troops & revived his military power and headed to Bamiyan Capital Of Hazarajat. His troops with only guns fought and forced Jamiat-e-Islami's full forces to retreat. During his two years in Bamiyan he created military post all around Hazarajat and fought against the Taliban His most important post were in Six Bridge Bamiyan, The Turkman Valley, Sheikh Ali, And Many valleys and important passes throughout the country.
Death
The assassination of Shafi, then aged 32, was the target of an assassination plot at the house of Karim Khalili in Bamiyan Capital Of Hazaristan Afghanistan. August 1996. The attackers' names were Karim Khalili, Bahrami, Jawhari, Sayed Hashemi, Sayed Anwar Rahmati and many more. The attackers claimed that Shafi was assassinated by a rogue commander later changing their story that Shafi pulled a gun on them and their bodyguards shot him in retaliation. According to eyed wittiness this was false, Later it was known that Shafi was assassinated by a plot from Karim Khalili to gain all of Shafi's military power and personnel, General Shafi had 2 to 3 times the personnel & military weapons and resources than the whole Hezb-e-Wahdat party, other Commanders and members of the Wahdat Party say that Karim Khalili Assassinated Shafi because he was overshadowed by his great character and strength and after many failed attempts they were successful into luring him to his house as Sayed Hashemi with about 10 others from the roof shot General Shafi bullets struck his shoulder legs and heart killing him on the spot. Trying to hide this great betrayal they tried to bury Shafi's body which was recognized by an elderly gentleman shocked he "yelled to inform others" and they recovered the body which was later transferred to his home village of Dahn Khakrez in the Turkman Valley. The funeral, although in a remote rural area, was attended by thousands of people. After Karim Khalili assassinated General Shafi They attacked his post and military bases in Six Bridge which resisted for 24 hours, Outnumbered and not wanting to start a war within their own party they retreated and many were killed, This is known as the greatest betrayal against the Hazara people according to many, that a leader of the Hezb-e-Wahdat party assassinated the Hazara's most renowned commander and attacked the head of their most powerful brigade, leading to discontent among many. [4]
Legacy
Children Martyr Shafi has one son by the name of Mohammad Rafi Shafi
References
- ^ "Afghanistan: Blood-Stained Hands: III. The Battle for Kabul: April 1992-March 1993". www.hrw.org. Retrieved 2019-06-14.
- ^ http://batoomayshawamyakja.blogfa.com/post/50
- ^ Parenti, Christian (2004-10-28). "Who Rules Afghanistan". ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 2019-06-14.
- ^ "قتل فرمانده شفیع". عاشقانه بنویس (in Persian). Retrieved 2019-06-14.